Within a few hours’ drive of the urban sprawl that surrounds Washington, DC, you can get into some amazing brook trout fishing. Or, you can get into some spectacular smallmouth bass fishing. Or, you can do both. The Shenandoah is a remarkable, beautiful, and historic region of the Mid-Atlantic. For fly fishers, it offers great …
It’s January. When was the last time you cast a fly rod? Many, many fly fishers get out and get after fish in the coldest months and the nastiest conditions. I’d wager that the majority, however, stay inside and simply dream of spring hatches. Both are okay. Both are legitimate forms of angling expression. The …
Casting Across isn’t a travel agency. That works out pretty well for you, because that means my expertise in the realm of fly fishing getaways is available at no cost whatsoever. No thanks are necessary. Your angling enjoyment is all the gratitude I need. Below is my six-step process for planning and executing a fly …
Growing up fly fishing the east, the trout and waters of the west always felt mythical. In this episode I talk about my first trip to Colorado, which is probably not unlike a lot of people’s first trip out west. There is so much that is different. At the same time, most of the important …
Spring creeks are amazing, beautiful things. Not only do they often offer some of the best ecosystems for trout around, they offer some of the best trout fishing year round. Nutrient rich water fosters a healthy, diverse biomass. Consistent water temperatures are warmer in the winter and cool in the summer. Fish thrive in spring …
Every winter I head to a few outdoor and fly fishing expos. There are things I want to do for Casting Across, friends in the fly fishing industry I help out, and, ultimately, simply my personal enjoyment. Consequently I end up talking about fly fishing shows a lot. My wife accompanied me once, years ago. …
I truly appreciate every thoughtful comment I receive on Casting Across. Moreover, I feel that if you took the effort to continue the conversation that I started then I should respond. In this episode, I interact with three comments that I received. They are from an article on the website, a social media post, and …
I don’t scare easily. But it was remote and dark. Really dark. Now, if I focused I could hear the highway. That brought a little bit of solace. Then I thought about it. Being in close proximity to cars whizzing by at 80 miles per hour doesn’t add any security. They were whizzing by at …
Virtually everyone has a good time at fly fishing and outdoor shows. What isn’t to love about an exposition hall filled to the rafters with the people, places, and things that make fly fishing what it is? However, some people like to take the difficult path. You might have a natural proclivity for pessimism. You …
You can catch fish with virtually any and all gear. That being said, there are certain kinds of gear that are especially suited for specific scenarios. Small stream trout fishing is no exception. Beyond what kind of gear you bring, how you carry it is particularly important. In this episode I discuss some of the …
